Document legalisation

Full guidance for the legalisation of your documents via the FPS Foreign Affairs for use abroad.

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Full service

We handle the entire legalisation process, from application to issuance.

FPS Foreign Affairs

Legalisation via the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

Embassy legalisation

Also legalisation at foreign embassies and consulates in Belgium.

Combined with translation

Combine legalisation with a sworn translation in one order.

What is legalisation?

Legalisation is the official confirmation that a document, signature or seal is authentic. This is often required when you want to use a Belgian document abroad. In Belgium, legalisation and the apostille are issued digitally by the Legalisation Service of the FPS Foreign Affairs: you receive an electronic certificate with a QR code.

The legalisation process

1

Have the document translated by a sworn translator

2

Apostille or legalisation by the Legalisation Service of the FPS Foreign Affairs — fully online, issued digitally with a QR code

3

Optionally: legalisation at the embassy of the destination country

Frequently asked questions

When do I need legalisation instead of an apostille?
An apostille is enough for countries that signed the Apostille Convention. For all other countries the full legalisation chain is required, via the FPS Foreign Affairs and then the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

What does legalisation cost?
Embassy legalisation costs €210 per document, on top of the translation rate, regardless of the embassy. The actual fees of the embassy itself are invoiced afterwards.

Does my document need to be translated first?
That depends on what the receiving authority asks for. Often the sworn translation is made first and the translator’s signature is legalised afterwards. We handle both steps in one order.
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